Uppinangadi

History

Its legend dates back to the time of Mahabharata. The Skanda Purana states that when King Yudhisthira decided to perform the Rajasuya Yagna (to proclaim his sovereignty), he sent Bhima to present day Uppinangady. There, he was attacked by the huge giant animal named Purusha Mruga. To avoid attack, he dropped one of his hairs, which instantly turned into a Shivalinga. Seeing this, Purusha Mruga stopped to worship the Linga & then proceeded to attack. Bhima again dropped a hair, which turned into another Shivalinga. This happened for quite sometime. Finally, he dropped a handful of his hair, which instantly turned into a thousand Shivalingas. Purusha Mruga stopped to worship all the Lingas, giving time to escape. The Sangama (confluence) of Kumaradhara & Netravati rivers happen near the temple. However, during the monsoon, this confluence takes place directly in front of the sanctum sanctorum. It is considered an auspicious moment to bathe in the rivers' waters. It is also said that the 1000 Shivalingas, hidden deep in the sand, are revealed when the sand recedes.

Most-observed species

• Red-whiskered Bulbul

  Pycnonotus jocosus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  299
• White-cheeked Barbet

  Psilopogon viridis (Boddaert, 1783) · Aves
  291
• Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

  Dicrurus paradiseus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  224
• Greater Coucal

  Centropus sinensis (Stephens, 1815) · Aves
  196
• Common Tailorbird

  Orthotomus sutorius (Pennant, 1769) · Aves
  188
• Rufous Treepie

  Dendrocitta vagabunda (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  185
• Purple-rumped Sunbird

  Leptocoma zeylonica (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  181
• Red-vented Bulbul

  Pycnonotus cafer (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  167